Myhill reveals injury woes

BOAZ Myhill says the international break could not have come at a better time for him as he revealed he has been battling with two injuries.

The Baggies goalkeeper was due to join up with Wales for their friendly with Finland, in Cardiff, on Saturday.

But he has withdrawn from Chris Coleman’s squad to have treatment on an Achilles problem and ligament damage in his left thumb, with both injuries last week preventing him from training until the eve of the Chelsea game.

“We want the players to go away and have a successful time on international duty,” said Myhill.

“Personally I am going to need treatment on a couple of injuries I’ve picked up in recent weeks and need to get over.

“I’ve not trained for a while and I’m glad for the rest because it means I can do some work in the gym with the physios.

“So, the break has come at a good time for me.

“I was really struggling last week and I’m grateful to the medical staff for the help they’ve given me to get on the pitch.”

The Baggies have just five first-team squad members away on international duty, after Gareth McAuley (personal reasons) and Chris Brunt (groin and knee tendonitis) withdrew from the Northern Ireland squad, and James Morrison (personal reasons) pulled out of the Scotland squad.

Jonas Olsson and Diego Lugano are away with Sweden and Uruguay respectively for World Cup qualifying play-off action.

The Swedes will take on Portugal over two legs on Friday and next Tuesday.

The South Americans face Asian side Jordan in an intercontinental play-off, with the first leg tomorrow (Wednesday) and the second a week later.

Shane Long is in Martin O’Neill’s first Republic of Ireland squad as they prepare for friendlies against Latvia in Dublin on Friday and in Poland four days later.

Matej Vydra has been included in the Czech Republic squad for their friendly with Canada, in Olomouc, on Friday.

And Saido Berahino is away with England Under-21s for their Euro qualifying ties with Finland at MK Dons on Thursday (ko 7.45pm) and San Marino at Shrewsbury Town five days later (ko 6pm).